A Weekend Getaway Guide to Ellijay, Georgia

Set against the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the small town of Ellijay, Georgia is a great place for a weekend getaway. Known as the Apple Capital of Georgia and for its great wineries, Ellijay is a go-to mountain escape in Georgia.

One of my favorite things is exploring the small towns in the North Georgia Mountains, and Ellijay is one of my favorites!

If you’re planning a weekend escape to Ellijay, this post will tell you everything you need to know about best things to do, where to eat, and where to stay.

Things to Do on a Weekend in Ellijay

Fill your weekend itinerary with all these amazing things to do in Ellijay, Georgia. From apple picking to wine tastings to scenic hikes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Go Shopping in Downtown Ellijay

Shopaholics will love spending a weekend in Ellijay. Downtown Ellijay is full of incredible shops with a little something for everyone.

Here are a few shops you won’t want to miss:

• Linda’s Outback Antiques and More — an antique store full of fun finds.
• Mountain Treasures — a unique shop that sells apparel, decor, art, and jewelry as well as offers free samples of local wines and wine slushies to purchase.
• Artful Ellijay — locally sourced decor that you can’t find anywhere else.
• Whimz Boutique — children’s apparel, jewelry, gifts, and home decor for all ages.

Pose with the Downtown Ellijay Murals

There are also some wonderful murals in Downtown Ellijay.

Get a photo with the interactive Kelsey Montague #WhatLiftsYou mural of colorful balloons painted on the side of Artful Ellijay’s wall along River Street.

Then head over to the Welcome to Ellijay Coca-Cola mural on N Main Street.

Do a Wine Tasting

The North Georgia Mountains are at the center of Georgia’s wine country. Ellijay has plenty of vineyards and wineries that are perfect for a wine tasting.

Here are some Ellijay vineyards and tasting rooms you won’t want to miss:

Chateau Meichtry — A family-owned winery that offers wine tastings, winery tours, live music on the weekends, and food trucks on the weekends.

Ott Farms and Vineyard — A vineyard with incredible views. They offer wine tastings of both their own wines and wines from neighboring vineyards, live music on the weekends, and food trucks on the weekends.

Buckley Vineyards — This family-owned vineyard names their wines after family members, even their dog Coco who you may see while you’re there. They offer tastings, live music, and a food truck.

Fainting Goat Vineyards & Winery — This winery has fainting goats that you can pet as well as amazing mountain views. They offer live music every weekend, award-winning wines, wine tastings, outdoor fireplaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows so you can enjoy the views even when sitting inside.

Cartecay Wine & Craft — Cartecay Vineyards’ tasting room in Downtown Ellijay. They serve their own wines, other local Georgia wines from the Ellijay area, and Georgia craft beers.

Mountain Treasures — Offers free tastings of local wines and sells bottles as well as wine slushies to-go.

Go Tubing on the River

Tubing on the river is a popular activity in Ellijay.

There are a few companies that will take you tubing, like the Coosawatee River Tubing Co. located in the Coosawatee River Resort and the Cartecay River Experience.

Go Apple Picking

Ellijay is known as the Apple Capital of Georgia. Ellijay and Gilmer County reportedly produce over 250,000 bushels of apples a year.

So if you’re visiting during the fall, you absolutely have to go apple picking in Ellijay!

Here are just a few of the top apple orchards dotting the North Georgia countryside in Ellijay:

B.J. Reece Orchards — This family owned and operated orchard has 120 acres of apples. You can pick your own apples, enjoy farm fun in the fall, and shop at the market & bakery.

Hillcrest Orchards and Farms — This a family-owned and operated apple orchard in Ellijay has been growing apples since 1946. They offer u-pick apples, farm fun in the fall, a market, and even an Apple Pickin’ Jubilee.

Red Apple Barn — This family apple orchard dates back to 1927. They offer u-pick apples, a pumpkin patch, tractor rides, and more.

Sip on Cider

If all that apple picking made you want some apple cider, you’re not alone! And for those of us who like the hard stuff, Ellijay is the perfect place to find hard apple cider!

Reece’s Cider Company is from the same family that owns the popular BJ Reece Orchards, which is right across the street. This farm winery makes hard apple cider, and they also serve local wines and craft beers from wineries and breweries in the area.

Grab a glass or a cider flight at their tasting room. They have indoor seating, outdoor seating, fire pits, live music, and food trucks. Their cider flights are pre-set with seasonal ciders.

Attend a Festival

Ellijay is full of festival fun all year long! No matter when you’re visiting, you’re sure to find something interesting happening.

If you’re in Ellijay in the fall, definitely check out the Georgia Apple Festival. Held during the second and third weekends of October, the Georgia Apple Festival is one of the state’s largest festivals with hundreds of vendors selling food, art, crafts, and of course apples.

The Georgia Apple Blossom Festival takes place in May when you get to see the apple orchards change color with blooms.

Then there’s the Taste of Ellijay held the Thursday before Memorial Day where you can sample some local restaurant cuisine.

Where to Eat in Ellijay

You can find plenty of great local restaurants in Ellijay. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a fueling lunch, or a leisurely dinner, there’s something for everyone. Check out these top places to eat in Ellijay.

1. The Shack of Ellijay

The Shack of Ellijay brings Asian fusion to the North Georgia Mountains. They offer poke bowls, noodle bowls, wraps, and more made with the freshest of ingredients. They also have a variety of delicious bubble tea flavors.

It’s a small restaurant located a short walk off the square with some indoor seating and outdoor seating. You can order for dine-in or takeout.

2. The Roof Ellijay

The Roof Ellijay is a new rooftop bar and restaurant serving up a Southern menu of dishes like Blue Oyster Mushroom Ragu Meatloaf, Country Fried Pork Chop, Fresh Appalachian Trout, and more.

The view from The Roof is one of the best in town. You can look out over Downtown Ellijay and the North Georgia Mountains as you dine and drink.

3. Cantaberry

Cantaberry is located right on the historic square of Ellijay. It has been a go-to spot for simple, homemade lunch and dinner since opening in 2008.

They serve homemade soups, delicious sandwiches, fresh salads, and delectable desserts. The restaurant serves lunch daily and dinner on Wednesdays through Saturdays. They also have a location in Blue Ridge.

4. La Catrina Tacos & Margaritas

La Catrina Tacos & Margaritas is a family-owned Mexican restaurant serving up fresh Mexican food and fresh margaritas.

You can catch live, local musicians on the weekends.

5. Boardwalk Pizza & Pub

Boardwalk Pizza & Pub serves great pizza and beer. The inside is tiny with a small bar, but there is more seating outside on the Boardwalk

You can dine on simple pizza while you listen to live music from local musicians, play a game of cornhole, or just hang out.

Where to Stay for a Weekend in Ellijay

Ellijay has every type of stay for your weekend, from campsites to bed & breakfasts to traditional hotels. But renting a cabin is definitely the most popular way to stay.

We rented a cabin in the Coosawattee River Resort area, which is a gated community of cabins and campsites.

Our cabin was way up the mountain and nice and secluded. We even saw some deer while we were there.

Weekend in Ellijay Map

Ready to spend your weekend exploring all that Ellijay has to offer? Use the map below to help plan out your trip!

I hope you enjoy your weekend in Ellijay, Georgia discovering what makes this small North Georgia town such a great getaway!

More Things To Do In Ellijay, Georgia

Just can’t get enough of this mountain Georgia town? Check out these other Ellijay itineraries.

• A Girls’ Trip to Ellijay, Georgia: The Perfect Itinerary
• Georgia Hikes: Blackberry Mountain Clear Creek Trail

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Ready to visit Ellijay, Georgia? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
• Find Accommodation: You can find top cabin rentals in Ellijay using VRBO.
• Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
• Explore Ellijay in a New Way: Enjoy a Mystery Weekend in Ellijay to discover more of the town.

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Cheers!

Paige

Have you had a cabin getaway weekend in Ellijay? Let me know in the comments!